Disaster assistance extended for the NSW August storms

Issued: 24 November 2015

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and New South Wales Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant today announced that disaster assistance has been activated for the local government area of Wingecarribee in response to storms that occurred in August.

Mr Keenan said the Australian and New South Wales governments are committed to working together to help disaster-affected communities with their recovery.

"Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to ensure residents and businesses in Wingecarribee have access to the help they need to recover," Mr Keenan said.

Today's announcement extends the assistance that has already been provided to the region to the Wingecarribee local government area. The assistance measures available include:

personal hardship and distress assistance for affected individuals and families;

assistance for counter disaster operations and the restoration of essential public assets;

Mr Grant said it is vital that Commonwealth, State and Local governments work together before, during and after disaster events such as the August storms to ensure affected communities can get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

"The measures will provide a broad range of assistance to help affected individuals, families, small businesses and primary producers in Wingecarribee to access funding for clean-up operations and repair damaged essential public infrastructure to recover from the storms," Mr Grant said.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW Office of Emergency Management's website at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au.